Voices of Adventure: Jacob “Val“ Myers and the Youngest to Pole Project
Jacob "Val" Myers, a young adventurer hailing from North Carolina in the US, is preparing for an extraordinary journey: becoming the youngest person to reach the South Pole at the age of 25. The record is currently held by a French athlete, Matthieu Tordeur, who accomplished this feat at 27 years old in 2018. Jacob's determination and charitable goals have captivated my interest. Having connected through LinkedIn, I couldn't wait to delve into the intricacies of planning and executing such a world record attempt. Jacob has dedicated the past three years of his life to training and preparing for this momentous expedition, but it seems to me that his entire life has been leading up to this point. With unwavering focus and remarkable resilience, he aims to raise awareness for environmental and societal issues along the way.
The Road to Polar Guiding
Setting up a video chat with Jacob was effortless, and he eagerly shared his life and journey with me. To begin, I inquired about his background in outdoor athletics. Growing up near North Carolina's Gorges State Park, which opened just a year after his birth, Jacob was immersed in nature's splendor early on. The park became his playground, offering a multitude of outdoor activities. In 2019, he made the decision to become an outdoor professional, pushing his physical and mental limits through backpacking, trail running, desert crossing, and participating in ultramarathons.
Delving into Jacob's experience in the Wilderness Therapy program, he described his path to becoming a professional guide, which began in his youth and reached a professional level in 2021 when he joined the program in the North Carolina mountains. Guiding vulnerable youths, he provided mental and emotional support during treks and camping trips. Jacob and his companions took them on adventure tours, fostering mental resilience and self-confidence through interactions with the elements. The program aimed to create a safe space for the youth to challenge themselves and discover their potential with the guidance of professionals.
Having gained experience in guiding after the Wilderness Therapy program, Jacob focused on polar guiding. I was eager to learn more about the life of a polar guide. He acknowledged the responsibility and privilege of guiding clients on what could be their lives’ adventure, involving heightened risk assessment compared to regular mountaineering expeditions. Mitigating risks and handling dangerous conditions, such as whiteouts, while navigating unexpected events, required a deeper level of awareness and consideration from his part. Jacob embraced this challenge and continually strived to deliver his best.
The Youngest to Pole Project
The genesis of the "Youngest to Pole" project arose from two pivotal moments. First, while participating in a glacial traverse expedition, Jacob read a book about Ernest Shackleton, one of the greatest arctic explorers of the 20th century, whose achievements deeply inspired him. The second moment occurred during his pursuit of becoming a polar guide when an expedition manager, impressed by Jacob's leadership and care for the participants, suggested he attempt to become the next youngest person to reach the South Pole. Over the course of the years, the project took shape, and it is set to culminate by the end of 2023.
In preparation for his "Youngest to Pole" project, Jacob embarked on a 20-day solo expedition on a glacier in Norway and completed a 300-mile footrace in the Arctic. He also trained in extreme conditions, honing his motor skills and decision-making abilities to tackle challenges resembling the arctic environment. Recognizing the critical role of mental preparation, Jacob emphasized the importance of crisis management becoming second nature. In extreme situations, such as dealing with hypothermia, mental resilience is paramount.
Preparing for the Expedition
Inquiring about his current physical and logistical preparations for the project, Jacob listed intensive cardio, endurance training, and mountain climbing activities as well as ultrarunning during the summer season as his main forms of activity before the start of the project. He also sets weekly mileage and elevation goals to push his limits. Throughout the year, he focuses on regular athletic weight training, exercises to enhance balance, strength, and stamina, as well as simulating arctic conditions by dragging a large tire to mimic the experience of hauling supplies across the ice.
In addition to rigorous training and mental preparation, logistical considerations are of utmost importance. Jacob had to compile a polar resume, showcasing his arctic experience to Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions LLC (ALE), the company responsible for organizing his trip. Daily radio communication is a requirement, allowing him to provide updates on his journey, report any issues or injuries, and share his geographical location. In the event of an emergency, assistance may be possible unless caught in a storm. Even then, he might have to ski for days to reach a location from where he can be airlifted. Thus, the prospect of rescue remains more theoretical than a practical option.
Curious about the extent of his isolation, I asked Jacob about the person nearest to him on this ambitious trip. Surprisingly, he revealed that around the midpoint of the expedition, it would likely be someone aboard the International Space Station. It's safe to say that he will find himself at one of the most isolated points on Earth, far from civilization and human contact.
When asked about his internal drive, Jacob expressed a desire to prove to himself that he possesses the tenacity to tackle life's challenges. As someone who perceives himself differently from "operators" or mathematically inclined individuals, he consciously motivates himself and organizes his life around his plans. Jacob believes that raw experiences shape him into a better person, driving him to continuously learn, grow, and build mental and physical resilience to become the best version of himself.
Charitable Aspects of the Youngest to Pole Project
Besides the mental and physical challenge, sustainability and conservation hold significant importance for Jacob's work and project. Inspired by Climate Force, led by Barney Swan, son of Robert Swan - the first person to walk to both poles -, he actively involves himself in the Reforesting Daintree project in Australia. Rather than solely contributing financially, Jacob plans to invest his own time after the completion of the project, demonstrating the importance of personal commitment to carbon offsetting. He aims to do this by planting trees in Daintree to offset all the carbon generated during the project's execution.
In addition to the sustainability focus mentioned earlier, he aims to address humanitarian issues. His native region, Appalachia, suffers from poverty exacerbated by the opioid addiction crisis. Jacob believes that a lack of community access and the detrimental effects of excessive social media exposure lie at the root of the problem. To combat this, he plans to embark on a speaking tour, visiting schools in the region to raise awareness about outdoor clubs and societies. By offering alternative activities such as fishing, kayaking, and adventure pursuits, he aims to provide students with options and foster motivating environments among their peers.
Considering his plans beyond the "Youngest to Pole" achievement, Jacob envisions completing the Calendar Year Triple Crown, conquering the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest Trails, totaling over 7,000 miles within the year of his 30th birthday.
I thoroughly enjoyed talking about Jacob's ambitious goals, especially because he struck me as a genuinely humble and friendly individual. Our conversation left me with the strong impression that Jacob “Val” Myers embodies the essence of adventure, determination, and compassion. His upcoming expedition to the South Pole isn't just about breaking a record; it's about leaving a positive mark on the environment and society. As we eagerly anticipate the culmination of his three-year journey, let's draw inspiration to push our own limits, embrace new experiences, and grow into improved versions of ourselves while lifting others up along the way.
If you want to actively contribute to his journey, head over to his website to learn more about ways you can help.
